Fic: A Hard Lesson

[firesign10]

Jared sat at the bar, an empty lowball glass in front of him. The bourbon he'd just downed left a warm trail down his throat. Unfortunately, it hadn't done anything for the tension in his neck or the crankiness of his mood.

He tapped the polished wood in front of him. Rich, one of the bartenders, came over and refilled Jared's glass.

"Rough day?" Rich inquired sympathetically.

Jared growled and shot the new dose of bourbon down.

Rich sighed. "Are you planning on playing? Because I've got to cut you off then. You know the rules--no more than two drinks for active players."

Jared grimaced. "I'm not sure, so fine. Seltzer."

Rich brought him a glass of ice and seltzer. "Come on, relax. This is the happy place." He patted Jared's hand and walked away to help other customers.

Jared looked around. This was his happy place. The place he could be himself.

This was 'Sensuale'.

Hidden away behind a featureless gray door, Sensuale was elegant, rich, a place of beauty and passion. Black walls textured in matte and glossy finishes were broken up by rich midnight blue draperies that created enticing alcoves. The bar, a stretch of dark polished wood, ran down one side, the wall behind it sparkling with backlit glass shelves and jewel-hued bottles. A couple of smaller public play areas served as bookends to the main area, a platform raised about two feet off the floor. Currently it was softly lit by silver sconces, waiting for the first scene to begin.

Sensuale's membership was carefully overseen for respectful behavior and quality scenes. Anyone skirting the rules was given a one-time warning, and anyone breaking the rules was quickly evicted by a couple of beefy men in well-tailored dark suits. It created an atmosphere of luxury and class along with a sense of security that allowed for comfortable, stimulating play.

Jensen Ackles was the ruler of this little kingdom. A consummate Dom, Jensen was as elegant and beautiful as his club. His handsome face and tall muscular body were desired by many, but Jensen himself rarely played, preferring to host and watch his guests.

That is, until he met Jared Padalecki.

Jared had first played at Sensuale as a Dom. His first scene, in fact, had been with Rich the bartender, bringing him on stage and edging him until he screamed with delight. Afterward, Jensen had taken Jared into his office and ripped away Jared's Dom facade, exposing his deep, inner desire to belong to someone as a sub. Jared was entranced by Jensen's intuition as well as his physical appeal, and readily agreed to be Jensen's sub. Jared still played as a Dom for scenes at the club, and only subbed under Jensen's masterful hand.

So it was unusual for Jared to be here at Sensuale in such a bad mood. He didn't like feeling like this here, and that dissonance upset him even more. The longer he sat at the bar stewing, the crankier he got. Apparently it was radiating from him, as everyone seemed to be avoiding him, and really? He was just fine with that for now.

Rich returned, wiping the glossy wood of the bar with a towel.

"What's eating your ass? 'Cause it sure ain't anyone here." He winked in a clear effort to raise Jared's mood.

Jared shook his head. "Shit at work. Just got a review and my new boss has decided I suck, despite five years of glowing reviews, several bonuses, and a team that loves working with me. I don't know what the bastard's problem is, but I'm sick of taking his shit. It's only been six or seven months but it's not getting any better. In fact, he seems to be ramping it up." He looked at Rich. "Another bourbon, or I'll just come behind the bar and get the bottle myself."

Rich frowned. "Hey, way to be a dick, dude. I was your first friend here, remember?" He fetched the  bottle. "I'll give you one more, but that is it, Jensen's squeeze or not." While he poured the liquor into Jared's glass, Rich's mouth was a thin line and his cheerful demeanor absent.

Jared felt a slight pang about his behavior; Rich had indeed been his first friend there, and was a good guy. But the hot, heavy sensation inside of Jared wouldn't let him apologize. Instead, he picked up his glass and went to find a table off to the side, where he could sip his drink and brood.

Unsure of his desire to play or not when he'd arrived, Jared hadn't donned any of the indicator bracelets that Sensuale used to communicate with players. Available at the door, there was a color code to show availability and roles.  White was no play, black was all play. Blue was sub, orange Dom, purple switch. Red meant restricted play, where the limits had to be established prior to playing.

He sipped his drink, wanting to prolong it in case it was really his last one. A young woman approached him, staying a respectful distance while sinking to her knees in front of him. She looked to be in her late twenties, maybe thirty, with full breasts displayed atop a dark red corset that emphasized her fair skin. Her blonde hair was pinned up at the back of her head, then cascaded down over her bare shoulders. A matching dark red tiny skirt hid her crotch but did nothing to conceal her plump thighs, now spread invitingly in front of him. She was sweet and sexy, just what Jared often liked in a sub, whether male or female.

Tonight, however, she just annoyed him.

"Yes?" Jared asked harshly. "Did you want something?"

She blinked and dropped her eyes.

"Are you looking for someone to play with? I'd be honored to scene with you," she said, her voice sweet and sultry all at once. "I can service you, you can fuck me, spank me, tie me up."

He sighed. She was trembling a bit now, just enough to make her tits jiggle above the corset. The soft skin of her inner thigh quivered beneath the taffeta skirt. She moved her hands behind her, and he could tell she was holding her elbows by the way her back arched a bit, jutting her chest out even more.

"You do have very pretty tits, I have to admit," Jared said less harshly. He reached out and ran a finger down one, giving the nipple a hard pinch. She muffled a squeak. Frowning, Jared gave her other tit the same treatment. "You need to work on your control, bitch."

She bent her head and whimpered. "I'm so sorry. Please, handle me as you will."

Jared cradled one tit in his hand, hefting the soft weight of it. He could have fun playing with these. Could squeeze them, smack them, leave fingerprint bruises on the white skin of them. Suck those hard pink nipples while he fucked her under that ridiculous skirt. Spank her while reaming her doggy-style. Show everyone how easy it was to make her scream or cry...

No.

For the first time, Jared felt he could really hurt a sub, delve into pain play beyond what he'd ever done or considered doing. Pain was a sharp, delicious little accent for him, not something to be endured or used to be cruel. This sub, though, so meek and soft, she could be hurt, and she'd beg for more.

The hot, heavy anger in him rose. It wanted out, it wanted to squeeze her flesh so hard it would bruise, slap her, take his pleasure without any heed for hers. Go on, you deserve it. Have a little fun with her...

"No." Jared stood up abruptly, dropping her breast from his hand. She recoiled, her eyes flying up to his. "No, I'm--I'm sorry. I can't play with you tonight." Remnants of etiquette pushed him to say, "I'm sorry, I'm not feeling well. I don't want to risk anything. You're lovely, you can find a better Dom tonight."

She got up, ignoring his extended hand. Now her eyes were hurt, her pink lips turned down at the corners. Her offer had been spurned openly, crassly, and she was rightly offended.

"I'm sorry," Jared started to say, but she was already walking away.

"Nice moves," a deep husky voice addressed him. "She piss you off somehow, or are you just a dick tonight?"

Jensen slid into the booth across from Jared. As usual, he looked absolutely gorgeous, the warm light of the table lamp showing the classic planes of his face, the full lips, the shadows of his thick lashes. He wore a dark green silk shirt with the first three buttons undone underneath a black, fitted, lightweight leather jacket. He looked edible.

Jared felt remorseful and yet resentful. He knew he'd behaved badly, but part of him didn't care.

"Hey, I could have taken her and then she'd regret it. So I cut her loose instead. I don't want a toy tonight."

Jensen raised his eyebrows. "A toy? Is that how you think of her? Jesus, Jay, what's eating your ass?"

Jared smirked. "That's what Rich asked." He shook his head. "Just...feeling kinda craptastic after work this week."

"I know it's bad there, but don't use people here as your punching bag, okay? No one deserves that." Jensen patted Jared's hand. "I can take care of you later, bring you down, okay? I have to oversee things a bit for now though. Can you wait?"

Jared looked out over the room. There wasn't a lot going on yet. No one was sceneing on the stage, people were mostly chatting, with a good amount of fondling going on and a couple of blow jobs. Subs, both naked and clothed, stood or knelt next to their Doms, with unattached players wandering around and making small talk.The blonde sub who'd approached him was now standing and talking with a tall, slim woman with vibrant red hair, wearing a slinky gold dress. The woman was petting the Sub'ssub's blonde hair and caressing her breasts.

"Yeah, I'll chill out. Go on, I'll be okay."

Jensen leaned over and dropped a kiss on Jared's hair. "I'll come get you when I'm free."

Jared watched him walk away. God damn, the man had a fine ass.

A server walked past him, wearing the midnight blue silk camisole and boy-shorts of Sensuale's servers. The silk clothing did nothing to hide her; the cami clung to her breasts and nipples, and the shorts showcased the wiggle of her pert butt.

"Can I get you anything?" she asked, dark red lips moving over white teeth.

"Bourbon and a bottle of seltzer, baby." Jared watched her walk away too, the silk shorts moving with the sway of her ass. He'd already started chubbing up when he was fondling the blonde sub, and now his dick stiffened more. Whatever else he was tonight, he was getting pretty horny.

"Settle down, Jensen's gonna take care of us later," he murmured to his rowdy dick. He reached down and rubbed his palm against the bulge growing there.

"Well, are you having a little problem there?" A tall, black-haired man sat down opposite Jared. Dark stubble and a rakish grin gave him a devilish look. "Looks like someone needs to be told how to behave." He winked at Jared. "I'm just the man who can take care of that. And take care of you too." He adjusted his black jacket, opening it to display a white dress shirt half unbuttoned.

Jared saw that the man wore the black and orange bracelets, signifying he was a Dom open to all play.

"No, I--" Jared began, but the man reached over and placed  his hand over Jared's.

"Quiet." Jared stopped speaking, and the man smiled. "See? I can tell you go both ways. Only someone feeling like they need to be fucked could have refused that extremely toothsome bit of fluff earlier." He released Jared's hand and sat back. "So, I'm deducing you need a good cock-up, yes? Again, I'm your man." He put his hand out. "Tom Ellis, freshly from England via California's sunny shores."

"Hi, uh, nice to meet you." Jared sipped his bourbon, resisting the visceral urge to rip the man's shirt open the rest of the way. Tom had the easy confidence of an established Dom, and Jared's inner sub was responding in a vigorous way. He cleared his throat nervously. Suddenly he was the one feeling tentative. And even more horny around this hot man.

Tom leaned over the table, his eyes roving over Jared's face and then down his torso. "I'd like to see a little more of you. Unbutton your shirt down to your belt, and take your jacket off." Jared was still wearing his suit jacket from work, and beneath the dark gray jacket he had on a pale blue dress shirt.

Jared found himself obeying. He was a little surprised at himself, but the festering anger inside seemed assuaged by this new possibility for unbridled acting out. Tom was hot and toppy, and Jared could work with that. His jacket drifted down to the seat, and his fingers quickly undid his shirt buttons, allowing the shirt to fall open and expose his bare chest. He took a deep breath, displaying his pecs to Tom with pride. All that gym time was worth it when he got to show off his body.

"Well, that's a lovely sight now." Tom licked his lips. "I'll bet the rest of you looks that good as well, eh?" He moved out of his seat and slid in next to Jared. Now it was Jared's turn to be felt up, with Tom's smooth palm sliding over Jared's pecs, Tom's fingers playing with Jared's small hard nubs, tweaking and flicking them. "Oh, very nice, very nice indeed. Tom's dark eyes flashed with arousal. Jared had to bite back a moan.

Stop this, part of his brain hissed This isn't a scene. You shouldn't be letting him touch you like this, like he can just take you. You belong to someone. To Jensen.

Well, Jensen isn't here right now, is he? I'm a big boy, I can do what I want, the hot, heavy anger replied.

Tom slung one arm around Jared's shoulders, bringing him in closer while Tom's other hand continued to caress Jared's chest. He scratched through Jared's dark chest hair, slid his hand down Jared's lean belly and rubbed it before raising it again to cup one pec and squeeze it like a tit.

"Excuse me, but what the fuck is going on here?"

Jensen's icy voice cut through the warm fog of pleasure that had started to envelop Jared. He sat up straight, belatedly pushing Tom's hand off his chest.

"We were getting to know each other," Tom purred in his sexy British accent. "Why is that any of your business?"

Jensen put his hands on the table, leaning over it with a glowering face. "It's my business because that is my sub."

Tom turned and looked at Jared. "Really! I don't see any collar, or even a bracelet on him. He certainly didn't disdain my advances. Are you quite sure he's yours?" He reached up and pinched Jared's nipple, and Jared jerked involuntarily. "There, see? He seems to be enjoying this."

Jensen's face was dark with tightly controlled fury. "Yes, I am quite sure. I will deal with him. In the meantime, your guest membership here at Sensuale has been terminated." He stood up and beckoned with a finger. Two large men appeared behind him, silent and grim. "Please escort Mr.--"

"Ellis," Tom said cheerily. "Tom Ellis. Well, I do apologize for any overstepping, but as I stated, he gave me no indication he was anybody's." He slid out of the booth and stood up. "You, Sir , need to teach your sub some manners." Tom walked off, the two security men trailing after him.

Jensen stood looking down at Jared, who was starting to feel that things were not going well at all. He started to button up his shirt, but Jensen caught his hand.

"No, don't bother. You're going to be naked in about five minutes. Go to my office immediately."

Jared stood up, resisting the impulse to close his shirt. He stared at Jensen defiantly, the hot, heavy force inside still driving him to rebellion. Now it was compounded by his hard-on and the frustration of being cock-blocked. He saw Jensen's eyes drop and rise again, and he knew Jensen was fully aware of Jared's erection. Jared widened his stance a little, pushing his hips out so his bulge was blatantly displayed.

"Go," Jensen bit out from between gritted teeth.

Jared stalked off to the door that led to the rooms behind the main area of Sensuale. Jensen's office was large and luxurious, but Jared ignored it all, simply throwing himself down on the leather sofa. He palmed himself, squeezing his dick through the thin fabric of his trousers.

"Hands off," Jensen ordered, coming in the door. "That's mine, and you don't get to play with it right now. Strip."

Jared huffed a sigh but stood and undressed, leaving his clothes in a messy pile. Jensen looked at it, but just shook his head and brought his attention back to Jared.

"What was that all about? I told you I'd just be a few minutes and then I was going to take care of you. Instead, I come back to find some new Dom with his hands all over you!"

Jared felt defensive under Jensen's angry tone. "I was horny after that sub came over. Her tits--well, she was hot. Then he came over, and he was hot too, and a lot sturdier. I thought, what the hell, why not." He folded his arms over his chest and glared back at Jensen.

"'Why not'?" How about because I'm your Dom? You're my sub. You don't sub for anyone else, or have you forgotten that in this rash haze of misguided lust?"

The defiance inside Jared shrunk a little at Jensen's words. He could hear not just the anger from his Dom, but the hurt. Hurt that Jared would consider subbing for anyone else, would squander himself and break the relationship he shared with Jensen so easily.

"I, uh...I didn't mean..." He stammered.

"And it wasn't just him! The way you treated that poor blonde sub? If you'd been anyone else, Jared, I'd have given you an  actual warning. You had no respect for her. You treated her like some living sex doll. We don't do that here. Sensuale is a club where the players all respect each other, or they're out." Jensen turned away, running a hand through his short, tousled hair. "I can't believe that I have to go over this with you of all people."

Defiance rose inside Jared again, like lava rising from his core. "Jeez, Jensen, it's no big deal! Can we fucking move on?"

Jensen froze, then pivoted back to face Jared. "Yes. We will move on right now. It's time for punishment."

Jared started to move toward the sofa, anticipating a spanking.

"No. Over there." Jensen's voice was cold and clipped. He gestured to a corner of the office.

Jared went over and stood, feeling a little awkward. This was not going how he'd envisioned it.

Jensen came over and moved Jared so that he faced into the corner.

"Isn't this a little childish? In the corner, really?" Jared mocked.

"No more speaking." Again, Jensen's voice was cold, almost devoid of feeling. "Stand there. Arms down, feet shoulder-length apart. Close your eyes."

Jared sighed, but then he started briefly as something was slid down around his head to rest over his eyes. A blindfold. Then something was pressed into his ears--silicone ear plugs, by the soft, smooth feel of them. The room went silent.

One ear plug was removed. Still with the chilly tone, Jensen murmured, "You will stand here until I see fit. Reflect on your behavior. review how callously you treated that sub, and how easily you toyed with the Dom. Think about how I, as your Dom and your boyfriend, am disappointed in you right now." And the ear plug slipped back in.

Alone now in darkness and silence, Jared felt a slight shiver run through him. No sweat, he thought to himself. Piece of cake.

Jared stood.

And stood.

And stood.

He couldn't tell if Jensen was still in the room by now. No air passed around him. No sound or light penetrated his blindfold and ear plugs.

As he stood, he began to mull over the events he was being punished for. At first, he tried to justify them to himself, citing his bad mood, how work was being so difficult. But as they looped through his mind, Jared began to waver on his defensive stance. What if he'd been the blonde sub, treated so rudely and then kicked aside? That stung now to recall. Her hurt expression, her sweet face crumpled in dismay. Her soft skin he'd thought about hurting. That wasn't him. That wasn't what Jared was like.

He became aware of his body growing stiff, his muscles sore from holding his position. He was starting to get thirsty, and his throat was dry. He didn't know if Jensen was there or not, and even if he was there, Jared didn't dare speak. Not after that cold voice had instructed him to stand here, blind and deaf.

Even worse, what if Jared had come into Sensuale and seen Jensen like that? Jensen half undressed in a booth with another sub, fondling him or her? Panting for their caresses? Blithely skating past the agreement between him and Jared, an agreement based on trust and love, now shattered in a careless minute?

Hot tears filled Jared's eyes, trickling down his cheeks under the blindfold. Guilt banished the remnants of his defiance. Shame and regret dueled with the hot, heavy anger inside him, and the anger lost. It melted away as the minutes ticked by (or so he assumed, since he couldn't hear a clock). Left was the shame and regret, the guilt for his bad behavior, and the wish to make it right.

The ache in his heart echoed with the ache in his body. He didn't know how much longer he could keep standing, but he told himself firmly to stay there moment to moment. Surely Jensen would come back in at some point. Surely he'd let Jared atone.

But what if he didn't? The trickling tears increased, running down Jared's face. His nose filled with teary snot, also trickling now, but he couldn't--he daren't--move.

I'm sorry...I'm sorry...please don't hate me...

Suddenly he felt it. Jensen was standing next to him, the clean smell of him marking his proximity. Jared gasped, gulping the scent in. Hands removed the ear plugs, slid the blindfold off. A warm, damp washcloth was wiping his face, removing the sticky tears and snot.

"Okay now. Come on, sweetheart. Come with me."

Jensen’s voice, soft now, not that icy sound, spoke. His strong arms guided a trembling Jared over to the couch, where a warm, fleecy blanket cushioned the cool leather. Jared sank into the blanket, and Jensen wrapped him up in it. A water bottle with cool water was pressed to his lips, and he slurped at it.

"Not too fast, baby. Just sip it. Take it slow."

Jared nodded. The water refreshed his dry throat and gritty mouth.

"Jen...I'm sorry...I'm so sorry. I love you. Please...can I stay with you? Still be with you? Still be yours?" Jared was able to whisper.

"Yes, of course." Jensen's arms were around Jared, and his lips kissed Jared's cheek, his forehead. His voice was gentle and reassuring. "I always want you here with me."

"Okay." With that weight off his heart, Jared slipped into sleep.

He had no idea what time it was when he awoke. The office was dimly lit from a lamp in the corner, and he could see Jensen sitting at his desk, working on papers. Jared’s body was achy, but no worse than after a medium-intensity work-out. And the hot, heavy, angry force inside him was gone, leaving him light and filled only with love and peace.

"Hey, sleepy," Jensen said, having turned his head to see Jared was awake. He got up from the desk and joined Jared on the couch. "How are you feeling?"

"Okay. Just...grateful. Thank you." Jared leaned against Jensen's strong form.

"You're welcome." Jensen tipped Jared's face up and kissed him. "I don't like giving out that kind of punishment, but I felt you needed some alone time with your inner demons."

Jared nodded."I did. And they're vanquished for now."

"Good." Another kiss. "I much prefer our more fun kinds of punishments. Like spanking your pert little ass, for instance.

"Me too." Jared's cock nudged his thigh. "Someone heard that..."

Jensen chuckled. "So you woke up ready to play a bit?" One hand burrowed through the blanket to find Jared's thigh. Then it slid up to find his dick. Jared gave a little moan as Jensen wrapped his fingers around the chub and started giving it some light strokes.

"Can we...I want you, Jen, want to feel you inside, so I know you still want me." Jared let the blanket fall away from him, offering his naked body up. "Please?"

"Oh baby, I always want you. I could have just fucked you and I'd still want to fuck you all over again." Jensen stood up, quickly undressing and tossing his clothes onto a chair. He lay down on the couch with Jared, kissing him as they pressed their bodies together.

Jensen always felt amazing against Jared, but this time, Jared felt extra aware of every sensation. The smoothness of Jensen's skin; the curve of muscle and press of bone; the hot, hard weight of his cock as he rutted against Jared's hip. The sticky slide of pre-come, the skill of his nimble fingers on Jared's nipples and cock, and the way their bodies slotted together so perfectly, thighs and legs interlocking.

Jared dug under the arm of the sofa and found the lube he'd stuck there when they were last having office sofa sex. He pushed it into Jensen's hand, spreading his thighs in a silent request.

"So beautiful, baby," Jensen murmured, kissing across Jared's chest and licking his hard little nubs. "So, so beautiful." His slicked fingers rubbed at Jared's hole and started nudging their way inside.

Jared sighed with pleasure. The hot, wet feel of Jensen's lips and tongue on his skin was intoxicating, releasing tremors of arousal throughout him. He could smell them both, their mingled pre-come scenting the air in the heady perfume of sex. Jared ran his hands all over Jensen's body, everywhere he could reach, stroking and rubbing, finding all the delicate little points and places that made Jensen squirm and get his dick rock-hard.

"Can't wait long," Jensen gasped. "Driving me crazy, gotta fuck you now, Jay, oh fuck..." His cock pushed at Jared's entrance, and Jared eagerly opened his legs wide. He grabbed Jensen's ass and pulled on it, begging with his body for Jensen to enter him, to own him. To re-mark his insides with Jensen's come, and have Jensen reclaim him.

"Only yours," Jared groaned, panting at Jensen's bold invasion, his cock burrowing deep into Jared until their balls were snugged tightly against each other. Jensen stopped for a moment, and Jared knew he was fighting not to come right away as he was encased in the hot vise of Jared's body. "Go on, don't wait, want to feel you coming."

"Oh fuck, Jay, fuckfuckfuck..." Jensen cried out,and his hips pistoned hard, driving into Jared with all the force he could muster, as his arms clung to Jared and Jared clung back.

Jared welcomed it, crying out in ecstasy himself, taking everything Jensen was giving him. He locked his ankles around Jensen's, clutching Jensen’s ass and bucking up into him. They came almost at the same moment, Jensen spilling first and then Jared crescendoing at the first pulses of Jensen's cock deep inside him.

They stayed locked together for long moments, trembling as their dicks released, their balls emptying. Jared felt the hot spill from his cock on his stomach, the sensitive head smearing and rubbing through it against Jensen's stomach as it quaked. A final groan, Jensen grinding up one more time, Jared meeting him thrust for thrust, and then they sagged, depleted.

"Thank you," Jared whispered, softly kissing Jensen's collarbone. "I needed to learn that lesson."

"You're mine, and always will be," Jensen answered. "But I think now that you'll remember to always mind your manners."